THREE BAGS FULL

Without missing a bleat, Josephine Bailey shares the adventures of a flock of Irish sheep who discover their shepherd, George, apparently murdered in the meadow. George's flock decide they must solve the mystery--after all, he has read to them daily, including one unfinished detective novel. Swann's quirky premise is well-executed by Bailey, who develops the identity of each member of the flock, young and old, ram and ewe. Miss Maple, Othello, Cloud, and others even carry out a showdown at the Smartest Sheep in Glenkill contest in the local pub. The characters of the human villains and other village folk are neatly conveyed in Bailey's light Irish accent. Irreverent, comic, and touching fare is delivered with aplomb. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]